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Ecclesiastes 2:6

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I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

I made {H6213} me pools {H1295} of water {H4325}, to water {H8248} therewith the wood {H3293} that bringeth forth {H6779} trees {H6086}:

I made myself pools from which to water the trees springing up in the forest.

I built reservoirs to water my groves of flourishing trees.

I made me pools of water, to water therefrom the forest where trees were reared;

Commentary

Context

Ecclesiastes 2:6 is part of the Preacher's (traditionally King Solomon's) extensive personal experiment to find meaning and satisfaction in life apart from God. In chapter 2, he systematically explores various worldly pursuits: pleasure and laughter (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3), grand architectural projects, acquiring vast possessions, and indulging in all forms of sensory delight. This particular verse describes his immense landscaping and agricultural endeavors.

Following his confession in Ecclesiastes 2:4 that he "made me great works," he details these projects. The creation of "pools of water" and the watering of "wood that bringeth forth trees" speaks to a highly sophisticated and luxurious irrigation system designed to sustain vast forests, orchards, or pleasure gardens. This was a testament to his immense wealth, power, and desire to control his environment, all in the pursuit of fulfillment under the sun.

Key Themes

  • Grand Scale of Earthly Endeavor: This verse highlights the immense resources and ambition of the Preacher. He wasn't simply planting a few trees but undertaking large-scale forestry and gardening projects, requiring significant infrastructure like man-made pools and irrigation. This demonstrates the extent to which human beings can go in creating their own paradises.
  • Pursuit of Self-Sufficiency and Control: By creating his own water sources and cultivating forests, the Preacher sought to establish an environment of abundance, seemingly independent of external factors or divine provision. This reflects a human tendency to control circumstances and find security in one's own efforts and creations.
  • The Illusion of Lasting Satisfaction: While not stated in this verse, the overarching message of Ecclesiastes is that even the most elaborate and beautiful earthly achievements, like these magnificent gardens, ultimately fail to provide lasting joy or meaning. As the Preacher concludes in Ecclesiastes 2:11, all these works were "vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun."

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "pools of water" (Hebrew: בְּרֵכוֹת מָיִם, berechot mayim) implies artificial reservoirs or cisterns, not natural springs. This underscores the deliberate and engineered nature of his projects. Similarly, "wood that bringeth forth trees" (יַעַר, ya'ar) refers to a forest or woodland, suggesting a large cultivated area rather than just a small garden plot. The emphasis is on a massive, controlled environment designed for beauty and perhaps productivity, showcasing the king's dominion over nature.

Practical Application

Ecclesiastes 2:6 serves as a timeless reminder that while human ingenuity and effort can create impressive and beautiful things, they cannot fill the deepest longings of the soul. In our modern world, this could translate to seeking ultimate contentment in:

  • Career Achievements: Building a successful business or career, pursuing promotions, or gaining professional recognition.
  • Material Possessions: Acquiring luxurious homes, vehicles, or other possessions that promise comfort and status.
  • Hobbies and Pursuits: Dedicating oneself entirely to passions like gardening, travel, or artistic endeavors, hoping they provide ultimate meaning.
  • Environmental Control: Believing that by perfecting our immediate surroundings or mastering aspects of nature, we can achieve true peace.

The wisdom of Ecclesiastes encourages us to appreciate the blessings of life and the beauty of creation, but to always remember that true and lasting satisfaction, and the ultimate purpose of our existence, are found in a relationship with God, not in any earthly endeavor, however grand or beautiful. As the book later concludes, the whole duty of man is to "fear God, and keep his commandments."

Reflection

This verse, though seemingly describing a simple act of cultivation, is a profound illustration of humanity's relentless pursuit of happiness and meaning outside of its Creator. Solomon's grand projects, including these magnificent irrigated forests, were ultimately part of a futile quest to find lasting fulfillment "under the sun." His experience challenges us to examine where we are truly seeking our joy and security, prompting us to look beyond the temporary pleasures and achievements of this world to the eternal source of life and satisfaction.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 2:14 (3 votes)

    Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but [there was] no place for the beast [that was] under me to pass.

  • Jeremiah 17:8 (2 votes)

    For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

  • Psalms 1:3 (2 votes)

    And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

  • Song Of Solomon 7:4 (2 votes)

    Thy neck [is] as a tower of ivory; thine eyes [like] the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim: thy nose [is] as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.